It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
